Aerial lift and bucket truck operators — from tree service crews to utility line contractors and sign/light maintenance companies — need a truck body engineered to handle the weight, mounting demands, and daily abuse of boom-mounted equipment. At Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we build and install service bodies designed to support aerial device mounting and the tool storage that comes with it, serving operators across Texas and Louisiana.
What Aerial Lift Operators Need in a Truck Body
Bucket trucks and aerial lift platforms put unique structural demands on a truck body — the frame and subframe need to handle the weight and torque of a mounted boom, and there needs to be enough deck or compartment space for outrigger pads, chainsaws, chippers accessories, rigging, PPE, and traffic control equipment. Whether you’re running a dedicated tree service bucket truck or a utility line maintenance vehicle, the body underneath the boom matters as much as the lift itself.
Service Bodies Built for Aerial Device Mounting
- STI Bodies: STI (Waco, TX) builds heavy-duty service bodies with reinforced crossmembers and mounting provisions suitable for aerial device subframes and outrigger loads. A strong platform for utility and tree service operators who need structural integrity under a boom. Pricing varies with configuration.
- RKI Service Bodies: Houston-made, heavy-gauge steel compartment bodies that pair well with aerial lift subframes for utility and telecom crews. Lockable storage for rigging, chainsaws, PPE, and safety gear. $4,500–$9,500 installed (before aerial device mounting).
- CM SB/SSB Service Bodies: A budget-friendly option for smaller aerial lift setups on lighter-duty chassis, with solid compartment storage for tools and safety equipment. $3,500–$6,500 installed.
Flatbeds for Support and Chase Trucks
Many aerial lift crews run a support flatbed alongside the bucket truck — hauling brush chippers, debris, extra rigging, or traffic control equipment. A rugged flatbed from CM, Bedrock, or Norstar handles this role well, with configurations available for both SRW and DRW chassis. Pricing ranges $2,200–$5,500 installed depending on model and size.
Chassis Recommendations for Aerial Lift Trucks
| Use Case | Recommended Chassis | Best Body |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree service bucket truck | Ford F-450/550 or Ram 4500/5500 | STI or CM service body |
| Utility line maintenance bucket truck | Ford F-550/600 or Ram 5500 | STI reinforced service body |
| Support/chase truck | Ford F-350 DRW or Ram 3500 DRW | CM/Bedrock/Norstar flatbed |
Note on Aerial Device Installation
Star Truck Equipment supplies and installs the truck body and chassis prep work that supports an aerial device; the boom/lift unit itself is typically installed by a certified aerial equipment dealer. We coordinate with your aerial device installer to make sure the body, subframe, and mounting points are specified correctly before the lift goes on — saving you rework and downtime.
Serving Aerial Lift Operators Across Texas and Louisiana
Star Truck Equipment is based in Wharton, TX, and works with tree service companies, utility contractors, and municipal crews throughout the Houston metro, Gulf Coast, Victoria, San Antonio, and Austin areas, as well as customers across Louisiana. Every body we install uses a durable powder-coat finish — no galvanized options — built to hold up to daily field use.
Call us at (979) 532-1486 to discuss your aerial lift truck build, or visit our Wharton location to review body options in person.